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2017 CFP National Championship -- Predictions Thread

Posted on 1/2/18 at 8:58 pm
Posted by mmmmmbeeer
ATL
Member since Nov 2014
10189 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 8:58 pm
This is going to be one hell of a game, imo. The teams are essentially mirror images of one another....strong defense, strong running game, solid special teams, minimal turnovers, good/great coaching, decent passing attacks. Hell, even the crowd in the dome will likely be 50/50 and eliminate any HFA for either squad.

I really think this one will come down to average starting field position. Fromm is going to have a long day facing Bama's front 7 with the speed and power they possess. Hurts will be forced to throw the ball, which he isn't very good at, and I think we'll employ a spy tactic to keep him behind the LOS. Both run games will have a tough time finding consistent yardage....there are going to be a ton of 3rd and longs for both teams. Nizialek is exceptional and should help us keep Bama in poor field position but Scott over at Bama is pretty damn good, too. Crazy how tight this matchup should be.

I'm going to go with a Dawg national championship with a 17-13 win. It will be labeled (wrongly or rightly) as a "changing of the guard" in the SEC. Bama can't keep up their dominance forever. We might as well start prying it away from them now.

Posted by Dawgirl
Member since Oct 2015
6365 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 9:03 pm to
Now that a day has gone by, I have that "gut feeling" again - UGA wins. But I am seeing it a vice versa of 2012. UGA 32 Bama 28. The student will become the master Tuesday.

Posted by GeorgiaFlyer
Member since Feb 2014
2435 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 9:06 pm to
After watching Oklahoma I’m confident our guys will be ready for anything Bama throws at them!
This post was edited on 1/2/18 at 9:06 pm
Posted by crispyUGA
Upstate SC
Member since Feb 2011
16248 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 9:31 pm to
27-24 Dawgs. HotRod cements himself as a UGA legend with a late game winner.
Posted by EC_Dawg
Marietta
Member since Jan 2017
233 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 9:47 pm to
I see a hard fight ahead. If we can control the LOS and get the running game established we should be good. Dawgs on top!



24-18 Dawgs.
This post was edited on 1/2/18 at 9:48 pm
Posted by AlaCowboy
North Alabama
Member since Dec 2011
7353 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 9:50 pm to
I'm sure Saban has been studying both our Auburn games since !2/3 and knows what was wrong and what Kirby changed.
I think we have to keep Hurts in the pocket and make him pass. Their RBs will try to wear us down.
Posted by VoxDawg
Glory, Glory
Member since Sep 2012
75792 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 10:19 pm to
24-20 Dawgs.
Posted by Lucius Clay
Member since Sep 2012
3420 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 10:56 pm to
C'mon now...you all know you would have rather faced Clemson.

Alabama is us except with a 10-year lead in recruiting. We've got a great team but it's a little patchy...still making the most of some 3 star guys at some spots, a true freshman QB, a mostly young offensive line with our best tackle being an undersized overachiever.

Alabama is three-deep in 5-star players at every position.

Can we play over our heads and win? Sure. Is it likely? No. Let's just hope we keep it close. We've greatly exceeded expectations already for Kirby's second year; just don't want to choke or get blown out.
Posted by Barstools
Atlanta
Member since Jan 2016
11399 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 11:00 pm to
Your prediction was so spot on for the Rose Bowl, I'm almost inclined to agree with your post...

Go eat a bag of dicks. You've been hoping we lose all season.
This post was edited on 1/2/18 at 11:02 pm
Posted by NCDawg52
Atlanta, GA
Member since Dec 2014
3151 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 11:07 pm to
Alabama has a former walk on and a former three star starting in the defensive backfield. Littered with injuries at linebacker.

The whole "three deep with five stars at every spot" thing really isn't true of this years Bama. They have incredible depth at certain positions and are thin at others. Just like we are. I think it will be an amazing game that will come down to matchups and.....

Composure and Physicality.
Posted by Lucius Clay
Member since Sep 2012
3420 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 11:08 pm to
quote:

Your prediction was so spot on for the Rose Bowl


It was. I said it was hard to imagine stopping their offense...and we gave up most points we had given up in 20+ years. So much for our defense... Only reason we pulled it out...barely...was OU's inept defense. If they had even had a mid-level SEC defense, we would have been smoked.

As to Alabama...got to face the facts. 22 positions on the field of play...at how many do we have the more talented guys? Maybe 2 or 3???

The only hope we have is that the more talented team doesn't always win. (But most of the time, they do). Eat it.
Posted by NCDawg52
Atlanta, GA
Member since Dec 2014
3151 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 11:28 pm to
quote:

As to Alabama...got to face the facts. 22 positions on the field of play...at how many do we have the more talented guys? Maybe 2 or 3???


We are more talented at the following positions going into this game. Anyone feel free to add or comment:

1. QB
2. RB
3. TE
4. ILB
5. D. Baker is as good a cover corner as will play in the game.
6. LOS is closer than many think. Daron Payne is a dude for them, but I have as much confidence in what the right side of our Oline has been doing as I have in years.
7. Kicker
8. Punter (tossup maybe)
Posted by Barstools
Atlanta
Member since Jan 2016
11399 posts
Posted on 1/2/18 at 11:36 pm to
quote:

All else being equal, the team with the best QB wins. When the ball is snapped, Fromm almost always has his head already turned to the side of the field he's going to and he's looking down the receiver within a second. Let's hope the staff beats that habit out of him during the summer. 

In the meantime, though, you've got a Heisman winner and 70% passer against a true Freshman.


So you are saying Fromm should have won the Heisman and is a better QB than Mayfield?
Posted by ATLdawg25
Atlanta, GA
Member since Oct 2014
4370 posts
Posted on 1/3/18 at 7:01 am to
quote:

Alabama has a former walk on and a former three star starting in the defensive backfield.

What does this have to do with anything? Those players beat out much more talented recruits to earn their spots. Levi Wallace is a great player.
quote:

Littered with injuries at linebacker.

Unfortunately, they have had a lot of time to heal. Their front 7 looked incredible against Clemson.

I am going to go 24-20 Dawgs. I think Bama comes out strong on defense but we make some adjustments to move the ball a little in the second half. If we are within one score at halftime, I really like our chances.
Posted by DrewDawg13
Athens
Member since Apr 2015
3949 posts
Posted on 1/3/18 at 7:14 am to
I see something similar to the SEC championship game, just not as big of a point differential. I think we pull away with a late TD, say 27-17.
Posted by GeorgiaBoy
Member since Sep 2013
1982 posts
Posted on 1/3/18 at 7:18 am to
The outcome will depend on 2 things:

1. Can we block their DL?
2. Can we shut down their running game?

Do both of these and win 17-10.
Posted by Sandwich
Georgia
Member since Sep 2012
6207 posts
Posted on 1/3/18 at 7:25 am to
I see a low scoring affair where points will be at a premium. We will have to put points on the board when given opportunities. FG's become extremely important in this game.

special teams too. We have to continue to do well in that area.

IMO Whoever can run the football will win the game. They may have a slight edge at oline, but we have better RB's.

I see a 24-17 type game going either way. I hope we pull it out, but I think lady luck will need to be on our side as their defense absolutely dominated Clemson.

Posted by Dawgholio
Bugtussle
Member since Oct 2015
13047 posts
Posted on 1/3/18 at 7:25 am to
This game concerns me because of the emotional expense from the Rose Bowl. Might be hard to get the team off the high and refocused in just a week.
Posted by crispyUGA
Upstate SC
Member since Feb 2011
16248 posts
Posted on 1/3/18 at 7:28 am to
quote:

This game concerns me because of the emotional expense from the Rose Bowl. Might be hard to get the team off the high and refocused in just a week.




Generally speaking, yes. However, this is he national title we're talking about. Something everyone has been busting their arse for all season long and it's right in front of you. If they lose, I doubt it's from an "emotional hangover".
Posted by DawgCountry
Great State of GA
Member since Sep 2012
32691 posts
Posted on 1/3/18 at 7:48 am to
quote:

Lucius Clay


you are literally the worst poster on this board.

Firewind alter possibly?
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